EP3945048A1 - Spinning or winding machine and method for operating a spinning or winding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A spinning or winding machine (1) with a large number of work stations (2) arranged next to one another, which are designed as at least partially self-sufficient work stations (2), which can independently carry out a piecing process at least after a thread end has been provided and which each have at least one work station's own pneumatic maintenance element ( 8) for carrying out the attachment process has a measuring head (13) with a sensor (14). The sensor can be delivered to at least one pneumatic maintenance element (8) of a work station (2) to be checked. A working pressure of the at least one maintenance element (8) can be checked by means of the sensor. The measuring head (13) is arranged in a service trolley (12) that can be moved along the work stations (2). In a corresponding method, a working pressure of the at least one maintenance element (8) is checked by means of a service trolley (12) that can be moved along the work locations (2), with the at least one pneumatic maintenance element (8) of a work location (2) to be checked having a measuring head (13) is delivered with a sensor (14).

Description

The present invention relates to a spinning or winding machine with a large number of workstations arranged next to one another, the workstations being designed as at least partially self-sufficient workstations which can independently carry out a piecing process at least after a thread end has been provided and which each have at least one workstation-specific pneumatic maintenance element for carrying out the piecing process exhibit.

From the DE 10 2015 118 987 A1 a spinning machine with semi-autonomous jobs is known. The work stations have a fully automatic piecing device, so that if the production process is interrupted, the thread end on the bobbin side only has to be made available at the work station. This can be done manually by an operator, by an operating robot, or by equipment at the work site itself. However, as soon as the thread end is provided at the work station, all further steps of the piecing process can be carried out by the work station itself. Pneumatic maintenance elements such as suction nozzles, thread storage nozzles or blowing nozzles can be arranged at the work stations for handling the thread and for other maintenance activities. However, if faults or malfunctions occur in these maintenance units, this is often not recognized by the workplace. It can only be registered that an attachment process has failed.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages known from the prior art, in particular to identify malfunctions in the maintenance elements.

The object is achieved by a spinning or winding machine and a method having the features of the independent patent claims.

A spinning or winding machine is proposed with a large number of workstations arranged next to one another, with the workstations being designed as at least partially self-sufficient workstations which can independently carry out a piecing process at least after a thread end has been provided and which each have at least one workstation-specific, pneumatic maintenance element for carrying out the piecing process. In the context of the present application, a piecing process is understood to mean both a piecing process on a spinning machine and a splicing process on a spinning or winding machine.

It is proposed that the spinning or winding machine has a measuring head with a sensor which can be delivered to at least one pneumatic maintenance element of a work station to be checked and by means of which a working pressure of the at least one maintenance element can be checked. The measuring head is arranged in a service trolley that can be moved along the work site.

In a method for operating such a spinning or winding machine, it is also proposed that a working pressure of the at least one maintenance unit is checked by means of a service trolley that can be moved along the work stations, with a measuring head with a sensor being delivered to the at least one pneumatic maintenance unit of a work station to be checked.

As described at the beginning, modern spinning or winding machines with an increasingly high degree of automation are able to carry out a large number of maintenance activities independently. However, malfunctions at the spinning positions can still lead to downtimes with production losses and a corresponding decrease in productivity. Using the service vehicle with the measuring head, control measurements can now be carried out at the work sites and malfunctions can be detected at an early stage. Remedial measures can therefore also be initiated at an early stage and downtimes that reduce production can be avoided. For example, such control measurements can be carried out at regular time intervals at the individual workplaces. Likewise, control measurements can be carried out due to certain events at the workplace, such as a failed attachment attempt. It is also particularly advantageous that the measuring head with the sensor can be moved along the work stations and therefore does not have to be provided at each individual spinning station. As a result, the spinning or winding machine can be designed at low cost.

The job to be checked is one job from the large number of jobs. The working pressure of the at least one maintenance element can be detected directly, in particular by means of a pressure sensor, or indirectly via a variable that is proportional to the pressure. For example, in the case of a maintenance element subjected to negative pressure, an actuating force of a component of the maintenance element working against the negative pressure can also be measured. This can be determined, for example, using a force sensor or based on the power consumption of an actuator that moves the component against the negative pressure.

There are advantages if the measuring head is arranged in the service vehicle so that it can be moved in such a way that it can be delivered to various types of maintenance staff at the work site(s) to be checked. In the method, the measuring head is accordingly delivered to various maintenance bodies of the work site(s) to be checked. For this purpose, the measuring head can be moved from a rest position, in which it is essentially inside the service trolley, to several working positions at the work site. It can thus be checked by means of one and the same measuring head different types of maintenance elements at the work sites. It is conceivable, that to check a job, the service car is positioned in front of this job and the measuring head is successively delivered to the various maintenance bodies. It is also conceivable that a first maintenance unit is checked at one work station and a second maintenance unit that differs from the first maintenance unit at another work station.

According to a first embodiment, the at least one maintenance element has a test opening for placing the measuring head. The test opening is closed while the work site is in operation and can be opened from the work site or preferably by a corresponding operating unit of the service vehicle in order to set up the measuring head. Such a test opening advantageously also allows the working pressure to be checked during regular operation. For example, a maintenance element subjected to negative pressure can have such a test opening.

According to another embodiment, it is advantageous if the measuring head can be placed on a working opening, in particular a suction opening or a blowing opening, of the at least one maintenance element or is placed on a working opening during the method. In this case, it is not necessary to provide an additional opening, which at the same time can also represent an additional source of error or leakage, in the maintenance element. In addition, the working pressure can be measured exactly at the point where it is also effective during operation, so that more accurate results can be achieved in this way.

It is also advantageous if the sensor is designed as a vacuum sensor and the measuring head of a suction nozzle and/or a storage nozzle can be advanced to the work site to be checked, with the measuring head preferably being able to be placed on the suction opening of the suction nozzle and/or the storage nozzle. In the method, the measuring head of a suction nozzle and/or a storage nozzle is accordingly delivered to the work site to be checked. the In regular operation, for example, the suction nozzle is blocked off from the vacuum network by means of a blocking element. By checking the working pressure at which the shut-off element is opened, it can be recognized whether the shut-off element is working correctly or whether the suction nozzle or the vacuum line supplying it is clogged with thread remnants or the like. The same applies to the accumulator nozzle, which is also blocked off from the vacuum network by means of a blocking element during regular operation.

It is also advantageous if the measuring head of a spinning unit subjected to negative pressure can be advanced to the work location to be checked or is advanced to the work location to be checked during the movement of a spinning unit subjected to negative pressure. By means of the service trolley and the measuring head, not only pneumatic maintenance elements but also the working pressure of pneumatic working elements such as the spinning unit of a rotor spinning device or an air spinning device can be checked. Such a test of the working pressure of a rotor spinning device by means of a measuring head arranged in a mobile service carriage was not possible with previous spinning machines and is therefore of independent inventive importance. The measuring head can preferably be placed directly on an opening of the spinning unit that can be closed by a cover element. Here, too, it can be determined whether a suction opening of the spinning unit has become clogged and there is therefore not enough negative pressure available for the spinning process.

In addition or as an alternative, it is advantageous if the sensor is designed as a pressure sensor and the measuring head of a blowing nozzle can be delivered or is delivered to the work location to be checked. The measuring head can preferably be placed directly on the blowing opening of the blowing nozzle. The blowing nozzle can, for example, be a cleaning nozzle, for example a cleaning nozzle for cleaning a spinning element or also parts of the work station. However, the blowing nozzle can also be a conveying nozzle, by means of which, for example, a thread end can be transported to the work site.

It is also advantageous if the measuring head has a sealing element for sealing the test opening and/or the working opening and/or the closable opening of the spinning unit. On the one hand, this ensures that correct measured values of the working pressure are achieved. On the other hand, pressure losses or vacuum losses, which could have a negative effect elsewhere in the compressed air or vacuum network, can be avoided in this way.

In the method, it is advantageous if a time profile of the working pressure of the at least one pneumatic maintenance element is recorded by means of the measuring head. In this way, for example, it can also be checked whether the opening and closing times of a shut-off element are correct in relation to the maintenance process or whether the working pressure is only available with a delay after opening the shut-off element. Fluctuations in the working pressure can also be detected in this way.

It is also advantageous if the spinning or winding machine has an evaluation unit for evaluating measured values of the measuring head or the measured values of the measuring head are evaluated in an evaluation unit of the spinning or winding machine. The evaluation unit can be provided within the service vehicle, in particular in a control unit of the service vehicle. Alternatively, the evaluation unit can also be arranged in a control unit of the spinning or winding machine, for example in a central control unit of the spinning or winding machine or also in a control unit of a work station. The measured values of the measuring head can be compared either with a predetermined reference value or with an earlier measured value by means of the evaluation unit. A permissible deviation from the reference value or an earlier one can also be included Reference value or measured value can be specified. If this is exceeded, an error message can be issued. However, it is also conceivable that the fault detected in this way is eliminated directly by a corresponding unit of the service vehicle.

It is also advantageous if the measuring head has an actuator for moving a component of the at least one pneumatic maintenance element and an actuating force of the actuator can be detected by means of the sensor. For example, a feeder unit, which closes the suction opening of the suction nozzle during operation, can be opened against the effect of the negative pressure and the actuating force required for this can be recorded. In the same way, other covers that close off a suction opening against the negative pressure can also be actuated and the actuating force can be recorded.

There are also advantages if the measuring head has a cleaning device for cleaning the at least one pneumatic maintenance element and/or a suction opening of the spinning unit. If a fault at the work site is detected as a result of the measurement using the measuring head, this can be eliminated using the cleaning device. For example, a blocked nozzle or a blocked opening or supply line can be removed by means of a cleaning device designed as a blowing or suction unit. However, the cleaning device can also include a mechanical cleaning element.

According to another development, it is advantageous if the service trolley, in particular the measuring head, has an image acquisition device for acquiring a status of the workplace, in particular a status of working elements and/or maintenance elements of the workplace. For example, it is possible, at the same time or in close temporal connection with the review of at least one maintenance body, the condition of the job or individual work bodies or maintenance bodies Document the job by taking a picture. This makes it possible, for example, for the images to be evaluated by an operator or also automatically at a later point in time, and for changes in the status to be recognized by comparison with earlier images. This makes it possible, for example, to detect gradual or minor damage to components that is not necessarily immediately apparent to the naked eye. It can also be recognized whether components are in their correct position at the time the image is recorded. Likewise, problems such as contamination or missing components can also be identified later and thereby identified as the causes of, for example, quality problems or failed attachment attempts and the like. In this case, the image acquisition device can be arranged directly on the measuring head or also be designed as a separate unit of the service vehicle.

In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the image acquisition device is connected to an image recognition device. The image recognition device can be integrated directly into the image acquisition device or can be arranged in a control unit of the service trolley and/or the spinning machine or dishwasher. The image recognition can take place, for example, by comparison with images of the work site and/or the relevant work unit and/or the relevant maintenance unit stored in the image recognition device. However, it is also possible to recognize specific components and/or the position of specific components and/or contamination using automatic image processing.

There are advantages if the work station is designed as a fully autonomous work station of a spinning machine and has at least one individually driven feed device for a fiber material, an individually driven and/or individually actuated spinning unit, an individually driven take-off device for a spun thread and an individually driven winding device having. The measuring head with the sensor can be used particularly advantageously on such a spinning or winding machine with fully autonomous work stations.

Figur 1

eine Spinn- oder Spulmaschine in einer schematischen Vorderansicht,

Figur 2

eine Arbeitsstelle einer Spinn- oder Spulmaschine in einer schematischen Seitenansicht während des regulären Betriebs,

Figur 3

eine Arbeitsstelle einer Spinn- oder Spulmaschine in einer schematischen Seitenansicht während der Messung des Arbeitsdruckes einer Saugdüse,

Figur 4

eine Arbeitsstelle einer Spinn- oder Spulmaschine in einer schematischen Seitenansicht während der Messung des Arbeitsdruckes einer Spinneinheit, sowie

Figur 5

eine Arbeitsstelle einer Spinn- oder Spulmaschine in einer schematischen Seitenansicht während der Messung des Arbeitsdruckes einer Blasdüse.

Further advantages of the invention are described using the following exemplary embodiments. Show it:

figure 1

a spinning or winding machine in a schematic front view,

figure 2

a work station of a spinning or winding machine in a schematic side view during regular operation,

figure 3

a work station of a spinning or winding machine in a schematic side view during the measurement of the working pressure of a suction nozzle,

figure 4

a work station of a spinning or winding machine in a schematic side view during the measurement of the working pressure of a spinning unit, and

figure 5

a work station of a spinning or winding machine in a schematic side view during the measurement of the working pressure of a tuyere.

In the following description of the exemplary embodiments, identical features or features that are at least comparable in terms of their design and/or mode of action are provided with the same reference symbols. Furthermore, these are only explained in detail when they are mentioned for the first time, while in the following exemplary embodiments only the differences from the exemplary embodiments already described are discussed. Furthermore are For reasons of clarity, often only one or just a few of several identical components or features are labeled.

figure 1 shows a spinning or winding machine 1 in a schematic front view. The spinning or winding machine 1 is in the present case designed as a spinning machine and has, in a manner known per se, a large number of work stations 2 arranged next to one another. Each of the work stations 2 has a feed device 3 which, in the present example of a spinning machine, contains a feed roller with a subsequent opening roller or a drafting system. Furthermore, each of the work stations 2 has a spinning unit 6 , for example a rotor spinning device or an air spinning device, and a take-off device 4 for taking off a thread 7 spun in the spinning unit 6 . Furthermore, a winding device 5 for winding the thread 7 is provided at each of the work stations 2 . If the spinning or winding machine 1 is designed as a winding machine, in contrast to the illustration shown, the feed device 3 includes a pay-off spool from which the yarn is also drawn off by means of a take-off device 4 and fed to the winding device 5 . The feed device 3, the take-off device 4, the winding device 5 and, if applicable, the spinning unit 6 are working elements of the spinning or winding machine 1.

In addition to the work units described, each of the work stations 2 also has a large number of maintenance units 8 for carrying out maintenance work on the individual work stations 2 . In the present case, a storage nozzle 10 that can be subjected to a vacuum and a suction nozzle 9 that can be subjected to a vacuum are provided as the pneumatic maintenance elements 8 . These are only to be understood as examples. Further maintenance elements 8 that can be acted upon by negative pressure as well as maintenance elements 8 that can be acted upon by compressed air can also be arranged at the work stations 2 . In order to check the working pressure of the pneumatic maintenance elements 8, the spinning or winding machine 1 also has a measuring head 13 with a sensor 14, which is arranged in a service trolley 12 that can be moved along the work stations 2. As explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, the measuring head 13 is arranged on a movable arm 15 so that it can be delivered to at least one of the maintenance units 8, but preferably also to several maintenance units 8, when the service trolley 12 is positioned in front of a work site 2 to be checked. The service trolley 12 also has a control unit 23 which contains an evaluation unit 22 for evaluating measured values from the measuring head 13 and which is connected to a control unit 23 of the spinning or winding machine 1 .

figure 2 shows a work station 2 of a spinning or winding machine 1 in a schematic side view. In the present case, the work station 2 is designed as a work station 2 of a rotor spinning machine, in which the spinning unit 6 is also subjected to negative pressure. For this purpose, the spinning unit 6 is connected to a vacuum channel 27 via a suction opening 25 . The spinning unit 6 is closed with a cover element 20 during operation. To service the spinning unit 6, the cover element 20 can be opened (see dot-dash line).

The pneumatic maintenance elements 8, here the suction nozzle 9 and the storage nozzle 10, can each be shut off from the negative pressure by means of a shut-off element 26 when they are not required. In the present case, the work station 2 is shown in operation, in which the suction nozzle 9 and the storage nozzle 10 are shut off by means of the shut-off element 26 . In the case of the suction nozzle 9, a suction opening 17 can also be seen, through which the thread 7 runs during ongoing operation. Also visible in the storage nozzle 10 is the suction opening 17, through which an excess thread length is sucked in in the form of a loop when it is attached.

In the present example, the spinning unit 6 cannot be shut off from the vacuum network, but it is also possible to shut off the spinning unit 6 from the vacuum channel 27 by means of a further shut-off element 26 .

The functioning of the pneumatic maintenance elements 8 depends to a large extent on the fact that a sufficient negative pressure is made available at the correct point in time. For example, when searching for the thread using the suction nozzle 9, a sufficiently high vacuum level must be achieved in order to be able to pick up the thread end from the bobbin surface. Likewise, in the case of the yarn storage nozzle 10, the negative pressure must be available at the correct point in time within the piecing process in order to absorb excess yarn lengths that occur during the run-up.

figure 3 now shows the work station 2 in a situation in which the service trolley 12 with the measuring head 13 is positioned in front of the work station 2 in order to check the working pressure of at least one of the pneumatic maintenance units 8 . For the sake of clarity, the thread 7 at the work station 2 has not been shown here. In the present example, the measuring head 13 with the sensor 14 was placed over the suction opening 17 of the suction nozzle by means of the movable arm 15 . In this case, the sensor 14 is designed as a pressure sensor, in particular as a vacuum sensor. Furthermore, to measure the working pressure, the shut-off element 26 of the suction nozzle 9 was opened, so that this is now subjected to negative pressure from the negative pressure channel 27 . The measured value of the working pressure detected by the sensor 14 is then fed to a control unit 23 of the service trolley 12 and forwarded via this to a further control unit 23 of the spinning or winding machine 1, where it is evaluated in an evaluation unit 22. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to arrange the evaluation unit 22 directly in the service vehicle 12 . In the present example, the working pressure of the suction nozzle 9 is checked when the work station 2 is stationary. The control unit 23 of the service trolley 12 and/or the control unit 23 of The spinning or winding machine 1, which can also be a control unit 23 of the work station 2, therefore preferably has a test program in order to control the opening and closing of the shut-off element 26 for checking the working pressure. For this purpose, the control units 23 are connected to one another. In this case, not only a single measured value of the working pressure can be recorded, but also a measured value curve can be recorded, from which it can be seen at what point in time after the shut-off element 26 is opened, the working pressure is available.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown, however, it would also be conceivable for the maintenance element 8, here for example the suction nozzle 9, to have a test opening in addition to the suction opening 17, which is closed during regular operation and during the attachment process. In this case, the working pressure can also be checked during a thread search process. In this case, the service trolley 12 is able to open and close the test opening by means of a manipulator in order to put on the measuring head 13 .

In a manner analogous to that described above, the working pressure of the storage nozzle 10 could also be checked instead of or in addition to checking the working pressure of the suction nozzle 9 . Here, too, the measuring head 13 is preferably placed directly on the suction opening 17 of the storage nozzle 10 and the shut-off element 26 of the storage nozzle 10 is opened. Here, too, this is preferably done by means of a test program. Using such a test program, it is also possible to measure the working pressure at one or more specific points in time after the shut-off element 26 has been opened, in order to determine the point in time at which the working pressure is actually available.

It is of course also conceivable that the test program simulates a complete attachment process without thread 7, so that the measurement of the working pressure the suction nozzle 9 and/or the storage nozzle 10 can take place under real conditions. The measuring head 13 can also be delivered first to the suction nozzle 9 and then to the storage nozzle 10 one after the other.

In order to avoid pressure losses and not to falsify the measurement, the measuring head 13 preferably has a sealing element 21, which is not visible here, but only in figure 4 is shown.

figure 4 also shows a work station 2 of a spinning machine with a spinning unit 6 subjected to negative pressure. In this example, it is not the working pressure of a pneumatic maintenance element 8 that is checked, but rather the working pressure of a pneumatic working element, here the spinning unit 6 designed as a rotor spinning device. To check the working pressure, the cover element 20 was first opened, which can be done both by the service trolley 12 and by the work station 2 itself. Then the measuring head 13 with the sensor 14 designed as a pressure sensor was placed directly onto the opening 19 of the spinning unit 6 . As previously described, one or more measured values, possibly at different points in time, of the working pressure of the spinning unit 6 can also be recorded here and forwarded to the evaluation unit 22 . In order to correctly record the working pressure and to avoid pressure losses, the measuring head 13 according to the present example also has a sealing element 21 .

In the present example, the measuring head 13 also has a cleaning device 24, which can be designed as a blowing device, for example. If the measurement on the spinning unit 6 determines that the working pressure is too low, which is done by comparing it with a reference value using the evaluation unit 22, then this indicates a malfunction or a disturbance. For example, the suction opening 25 can be clogged with fiber material or pieces of thread. Using the cleaning device 24 of the measuring head 13 , a compressed air blast can now be introduced in a targeted manner in order to clean the suction opening 25 . A subsequent re-measurement of the working pressure can also be used to determine whether the fault has been eliminated as a result.

Such a cleaning device 24 of the measuring head 13 could of course also be used to remove a blockage in a pneumatic maintenance element 8, for example in the area of the accumulator nozzle 10 or a blowing nozzle 11 (see Fig. figure 5 ), to be solved. Depending on the design of the storage nozzle 10 or the blowing nozzle 11 and/or the shut-off element 26, the cleaning device 24 can be designed as a blowing device or as a suction device. Depending on the accessibility of the pneumatic maintenance element 8 and the areas susceptible to clogging, a mechanical cleaning device 24 can of course also be considered.

figure 5 shows another embodiment of a work station 2, in which the checking of the working pressure of a blowing nozzle 11, which also represents a pneumatic maintenance element 8, is shown as an example. In the present case, the blowing nozzle 11 is arranged below the take-off device 4 in order to return a thread end coming from the take-off device 4 to the spinning unit 6 by means of a compressed air blast in order to start it there. For this purpose, the blowing nozzle 11 is provided with a blowing opening 18 . For compressed air supply, the blowing nozzle 11 is also connected to a compressed air line 16 by means of a shut-off element 26 . For clarification, the blowing nozzle 11 is shown in a sectional view. In this case, the measuring head 13 also has a pressure sensor 14 and is placed directly on the blowing opening 18 of the blowing nozzle 11 . Here too, in a preferred embodiment, the switching times of the shut-off element 26 can be checked in addition to the level of the working pressure by means of a test program.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Modifications within the scope of the patent claims are just as possible as any combination of the features described, even if they are shown and described in different parts of the description or the claims or in different exemplary embodiments, provided that there is no contradiction with the teaching of the independent claims.

Reference List

1

spinning or winding machine

2

place of work

3

feeding device

4

trigger device

5

spooling device

6

spinning unit

7

thread

8th

maintenance organ

9

suction nozzle

10

storage nozzle

11

air nozzle

12

service car

13

measuring head

14

sensor

15

poor

16

compressed air line

17

suction port

18

blow hole

19

Opening of the spinning unit

20

cover element

21

sealing element

22

evaluation unit

23

control unit

24

cleaning device

25

suction port

26

shut-off element

27

vacuum channel

Claims (16)

Spinning or winding machine (1) with a large number of workstations (2) arranged next to one another, the workstations (2) being designed as at least partially self-sufficient workstations (2) which can independently carry out a piecing process at least after a thread end has been provided and which each have at least one workstation-specific , have a pneumatic maintenance element (8) for carrying out the piecing process, characterized in that the spinning or winding machine (1) has a measuring head (13) with a sensor (14) which corresponds to at least one pneumatic maintenance element (8) of a work station to be checked (2) can be delivered and by means of which a working pressure of the at least one maintenance unit (8) can be checked, and that the measuring head (13) is arranged in a service trolley (12) that can be moved along the work stations (2). Spinning or winding machine (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the measuring head (13) is movably arranged in the service trolley (12) so that it can be delivered to various types of maintenance units (8) of the work station(s) to be checked. Spinning or winding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one maintenance element (8) has a test opening for placing the measuring head (13). Spinning or winding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring head (13) can be placed on a working opening, in particular a suction opening (17) or a blowing opening (18) of the at least one maintenance element (8). Spinning or winding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (14) is designed as a vacuum sensor and that the measuring head (13) of a suction nozzle (9) and/or a storage nozzle (10) of the work station to be checked (2) can be advanced, the measuring head (13) preferably being able to be placed on the suction opening (17) of the suction nozzle (9) and/or the storage nozzle (10). Spinning or winding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring head (13) of a spinning unit (6) subjected to negative pressure can be advanced to the work station (2) to be checked, with the measuring head (13) preferably pointing to a a cover element (20) closable opening (19) of the spinning unit (6) can be placed. Spinning or winding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (14) is designed as a pressure sensor and that the measuring head (13) of a blowing nozzle (11) can be advanced to the work station (2) to be checked, wherein preferably the measuring head (13) can be placed on the blow opening (18) of the blow nozzle (11). Spinning or winding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring head (13) has an actuator for moving a component of the at least one pneumatic maintenance element (8) and that by means of the sensor (14) a required actuating force for moving of the component can be detected. Spinning or winding machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring head (13) has a cleaning device (24) for cleaning the at least one pneumatic Maintenance organ (8) and / or a suction opening (25) of the spinning unit (6). Spinning or winding machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the service trolley (12), in particular the measuring head (13), has an image acquisition device for acquiring a status of the work station (2), in particular a status of working elements and/or Has maintenance organs (8) of the job (2). Method for operating a spinning or winding machine (1) with a large number of work stations (2) arranged next to one another, the work stations (2) being designed as at least partially self-sufficient work stations (2) which can independently carry out a piecing process at least after a thread end has been provided and which each have at least one pneumatic maintenance unit (8) for carrying out the piecing process, characterized in that a working pressure of the at least one maintenance unit (8) is checked by means of a service trolley (12) that can be moved along the work stations (2), the at least one pneumatic A measuring head (13) with a sensor (14) is delivered to a work site (2) to be checked. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the measuring head (13) is delivered to various maintenance units (8) of the work site(s) to be checked, the measuring head (13) preferably pointing to a work opening, in particular a suction opening (17) or a blowing opening (18) of the at least one maintenance element (8) is placed. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the measuring head (13) of a suction nozzle (9) and / or a storage nozzle (10) and/or a spinning unit (6) to which negative pressure is applied to the work station (2) to be checked. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the sensor (14) is designed as a pressure sensor and that the measuring head (13) is delivered to a blowing nozzle (11) of the work location (2) to be checked. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that a time profile of the working pressure of the at least one pneumatic maintenance element (8) is recorded by means of the measuring head (13). Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that measured values of the measuring head (13) are evaluated in an evaluation unit (22) of the spinning or winding machine (1).

Images